FS student Kathleen Fiona Wongso explains why she loves Trinity's teachers

Where are you from? 

Jakarta, Indonesia

Why did you choose Trinity? 

I chose Trinity because I have always dreamed of living in Melbourne. I fell in love with the city during my first visit and after conducting some research I found that Trinity was the perfect place for me to continue my studies as it offered a direct pathway to the University of Melbourne.

What did it mean to you to get a scholarship to attend Trinity College?

I was super excited when I found out that I got a scholarship because I was not expecting it at all. My feelings of excitement then turned into gratitude because the scholarship gave me an opportunity to give back to my parents, who have been supporting me my whole life.

How has the scholarship helped you?

The scholarship has definitely helped me in my studies. Every time I feel unmotivated or overwhelmed from my workload, I think about how lucky I am to be able to study with a scholarship and just the thought of that gets me right back on my feet.

How would you describe your experience at Trinity?

I would say that my experience at Trinity has been very enjoyable, especially since I had the opportunity to make friends and interact with people from all over the world and learn about different cultures as well. In terms of academics, I think my lessons are quite fun and interactive, which is something that I love.

What’s your favourite thing about Trinity College?

I would say that my favourite thing about Trinity College is that they really care about the wellbeing of their students. For example, there are plenty of support services available. I think that it is very comforting to know that there is always someone we can talk to whenever we face any difficulties.

What do you think of the teaching style at Trinity? How is it different to what you are used to? 

I like the teaching style here at Trinity because students are encouraged to ask questions and take initiative, which is quite different from what I’m used to. I was actually accustomed to learning in a passive manner, though I feel like active learning here suits me much better. I also like the fact that the educational environment in Trinity helps us to develop our critical thinking skills.

What do you think of your teachers? 

I love my teachers here at Trinity. All of them are wonderful people who are always happy to help me whenever I have any questions. I genuinely think that my teachers in Trinity are the best I’ve ever had.

What are your two favourite core subjects and why?

My two favourite core subjects are Literature and Drama. Literature is one of my favourite subjects because I enjoy reading and (oddly) I find analysing literary works to be quite fun. I also love Drama because I’ve never had Drama as a subject prior to studying at Trinity, so I was really stepping into unknown territory. However, after my first Drama class I found out that Drama is actually super fun. Overall, these two classes opened me up to new experiences, hence making them my favourite core subjects.

What are your two favourite elective subjects and why?

My two favourite elective subjects are Mathematics 2 and Chemistry. I like Maths 2 because the course teaches us how to code, which is something I’ve always wanted to learn. I also think Maths 2 is relatively easier than Maths 1, which is another reason why I prefer Maths 2. I like Chemistry as well because I think the subject as a whole is just very intriguing, especially the practical aspect where we get to mix acids and bases and all that fun stuff.

How do you think Trinity College Foundation Studies has prepared you for university studies and your career?

I think TCFS has taught me how to manage my time better because I had to finish all my assignments, which were all due at nearly the same time. Although it was a bit stressful, I think it was also a productive time for me to get to know the most effective way to manage my time. TCFS has also prepared me to work collaboratively, as there were plenty instances in which I had to work with all different kinds of people.

Why did you want to go to the University of Melbourne? 

I wanted to go to the University of Melbourne because my brothers, who attended Melbourne University as well, told me all about how it’s an amazing school and how Melbourne is a great place to stay in. The University of Melbourne is also one of the best universities in the world, so I definitely want to study there.

What degree do you want to study at the University of Melbourne?

I want to study Bachelor of Science (data science).

Would you recommend Trinity College to other students? 

Yes, I would definitely recommend Trinity College to other students looking to study in Australia. I love the academic environment, the people and especially the teachers here.